Bill Sparkman (William E. Sparkman, Jr.) is Census Worker Hanged, Glenn Beck Blamed for Sparkman Hanging?

The Portland Progressive Examiner thinks Glenn Beck's 9-12 "protest" might have "inspired" the hanging of Bill Sparkman (William E. Sparkman, Jr.) whose body was found on September 12th, 2009 hanging from a tree in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. See a video of Mr. Sparkman below. See update 10-27-09 11-24-09 below.

Bill Sparkman (William E. Sparkman, Jr.)

Michael Stone writing for the Portland Progressive Examiner just lays it out there and points the finger:

The anger and hate generated by media personalities such as Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, and politicians such as Joe Wilson and Sarah Palin, is bound to find an outlet that leads to violence and tragedy. It was, and is, only a matter of time.

While Mr. Sparkman is know to have died of asphyxiation, police from the area, as well as FBI spokesman David Beyer, said Sparkman's "feet were in contact with the ground when he was found...."

Police say they're looking at three possibilities: suicide, accident or homicide.

Early reports said the word "Fed" was scrawled across Bill Sparkman's chest, but so far, that account has no solid confirmation. "Anonymous law enforcement official[s]" say that report contains some "inaccuracies."

There is also no confirmation that Mr. Sparkman was working in the field for the Census Bureau at the time he died. It is a federal crime to attack a federal worker during or because of the job.

ABCNews describes this part of southeastern Kentucky as "known for its meth labs and hidden marijuana fields," and reports speculations of Mr. Sparkman "simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Mr. Sparkman was 51-years-old. He was a substitute teacher and a part-time Census-taker. Sparkman's mother, Henrie Sparkman, said her son moved to the area "to take a leadership position with the Boy Scouts of America." He was reportedly a Eagle Scout, himself.

Mr. Sparkman is said to have been single and the father of Todd, who is about 19 years old now. He battled non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and gained his Bachelor's Degree from Western Governor's University. He planned to be a middle school mathematics teacher. Friends and acquaintances speak lovingly of Bill Sparkman. Michael Stone, and his musings about Glenn Beck's culpability, add nothing helpful.

The video below is of Mr. Sparkman delivering the graduation speech for WGU in 2008 in Salt Lake City.

Bill Sparkman (William E. Sparkman)

Update10-27-09:

The cornerer has released his report and says that Mr. Sparkman died at the the tree where he was found in the woods. The report confirms that Sparkman was in contact with the ground, when he was found with a rope around his neck, "gagged and hands and feet bound with duct tape."

The word "fed" was written across his chest with a felt-tip marker, according to the corner, Jim Trosper.

Mr. Sparkman's body will now be released to the family.

Update 11-24-09:
Authorities today said that Mr. Sparkman committed suicide, and he worked alone in the act of making his death appear to be murder. Read the story here.